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Abstract Intestinal coccidiosis is a significant parasitic disease affecting poultry, resulting in substantial economic losses for the industry. It compromises the nutrition absorption, leading to weight loss and elevated mortality rates. Furthermore, the stress caused by the infection can compromise the immune system, making poultry more susceptible to secondary infections and reducing overall productivity. As a result, simple analytical techniques are critical for determining anticoccidial drugs. A new, sensitive, and environmentally friendly HPLC method was developed for determining amprolium (AMP), sulfaquinoxaline (SUL), diaveridine (DIV), and vitamin K3 (VIT K3) in their formulations for the first time. Stability tests were performed under diverse stress conditions to verify the safety and efficiency of the formulation throughout its designated shelf time. These investigations ascertain the influence of various environmental conditions on a drug’s chemical stability and physical characteristics. A Supelcosil C18 column was used as the stationary phase, and 0.05 M KH2PO4 and acetonitrile were mixed in a ratio of 80:20 (v/v) as the developing system with a flow rate of 2.0 mL min−1. The proposed drugs were quantified at 260 nm. It was tested and found that the novel analytical method was linear for AMP and SUL between 20.0 and 60.0 µg mL−1, 2.0–6.0 µg mL−1 for VIT K3, and 2.1–6.3 µg mL−1 for DIV. The anticipated method was validated according to ICH guidelines. Advanced evaluation tools, such as GAPI, Red Green Blue (RGB 12, whiteness), Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI), the Analytical Eco-Scale, and (AGREE) assessed the sustainability profile of the proposed method, illustrating its enhanced environmental friendliness and sustainability.

We derive the ab initio equilibrium statistical mechanics of the gas–liquid–solid contact angle on planar periodic, monodisperse, textured surfaces subject to electrowetting. To that end, we extend an earlier theory that predicts the advance or recession of the contact line amount to distinct first-order phase transitions of the filling state in the ensemble of nearby surface cavities. Upon calculating the individual capacitance of a cavity subject to the influence of its near neighbors, we show how hysteresis, which is manifested by different advancing and receding contact angles, is affected by electrowetting. The analysis reveals nine distinct regimes characterizing contact angle behavior, three of which arise only when a voltage is applied to the conductive liquid drop. As the square voltage is progressively increased, the theory elucidates how the drop occasionally undergoes regime transitions triggering jumps in the contact angle, possibly changing its hysteresis, or saturating it at a value weakly dependent on further voltage growth. To illustrate these phenomena and validate the theory, we confront its predictions with four data sets. A benefit of the theory is that it forsakes trial and error when designing textured surfaces with specific contact angle behavior.

Power-to-X technologies that convert renewable electricity to chemically stored energy in “X” may provide a gaseous, liquid or solid fuel that can be used in winter to provide both, heat and electricity, and thus replace fossil fuels that are currently used in many countries with cold winters. This contribution compares two options for power-to-X technologies for providing heat and electricity supply of buildings with high solar photovoltaic coverage, at times of low solar availability. The option “compressed hydrogen” is based on water electrolysis that produces hydrogen on-site. This hydrogen is subsequently compressed and stored at high pressure (350 bar) for use in winter by a fuel cell. The option “aluminium redox-cycle” includes an inert electrode high temperature electrolysis process that is carried out at industrial scale. Produced aluminium is subsequently transported to the site of use and converted to hydrogen and heat – and finally to electricity and heat – by aluminium-water reaction in combination with a fuel cell. Results of cost and LCA analysis show that the overall energetic efficiency of the compressed hydrogen process is slightly higher than for the aluminium redox cycle. However, the aluminium redox-cycles needs far less on-site storage volume and is likely to become available at lower investment cost for the end user. Total annual cost of ownership and global warming potential of the two options are quite similar.

In order to reduce anthropogenic global warming, governments around the world have decided to reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuels dramatically within the next decades. In moderate and cold climates, large amounts of fossil fuels are used for space heating and domestic hot water production in winter. Although on an annual base solar energy is available in large quantities in these regions, least of the solar resource is available in winter, when most of the energy is needed. Therefore, solutions are needed to store and transfer renewable energy from summer to winter. In this paper, a seasonal energy storage based on the aluminium redox cycle (Al3+ → Al → Al3+) is proposed. For charging, electricity from solar or other renewable sources is used to convert aluminium oxide or aluminium hydroxide to elementary aluminium (Al3+ → Al). In the discharging process, aluminium is oxidized (Al → Al3+), releasing hydrogen, heat, and aluminium hydroxide or aluminium oxide as a by-product. Hydrogen is used in a fuel cell to produce electricity. Heat produced from the aluminium oxidation process and by the fuel cell is used for domestic hot water production and space heating. The chemical reactions and energy balances are presented, and simulation results are shown for a system that covers the entire energy demand for electricity, space heating and domestic hot water of a new multi-family building with rooftop photovoltaic energy in combination with the seasonal Al energy storage cycle. It shows that 7–11 kWp of photovoltaic installations and 350–530 kg Al would be needed per apartment for different Swiss climates. Environmental life cycle data shows that the global warming potential and non-renewable primary energy consumption can be reduced significantly compared to today's common practice of heating with natural gas and using electricity from the ENTSO-E network. The presumptive cost were estimated and indicate a possible cost-competitiveness for this system in the near future. Keywords: Seasonal energy storage, Power-to-X, Aluminium redox cycle

Energy metabolism is essential for T cell function. However, how persistent antigenic stimulation affects T cell metabolism is unknown. Here, we report that long-term in vivo antigenic exposure induced a specific deficit in numerous metabolic enzymes. Accordingly, T cells exhibited low basal glycolytic flux and limited respiratory capacity. Strikingly, blockade of inhibitory receptor PD-1 stimulated the production of IFNγ in chronic T cells, but failed to shift their metabolism towards aerobic glycolysis, as observed in effector T cells. Instead, chronic T cells appeared to rely on oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to produce ATP for IFNγ synthesis. Check-point blockade, however, increased mitochondrial production of superoxide and reduced viability and effector function. Thus, in the absence of a glycolytic switch, PD-1-mediated inhibition appears essential for limiting oxidative metabolism linked to effector function in chronic T cells, thereby promoting survival and functional fitness.

Marc N Dubick,1 Thomas H Ravin,2 Yvonne Michel,3 David C Morrisette4 1Interventional Pain Management, Division of Anesthesiology, Bon Secours St Francis Hospital, Charleston, SC, USA; 2Musculoskeletal Medicine, Val d'Isere Health Clinic, Denver, CO, USA; 3Statistical Consultant, Private Practice, Daniel Island, SC, USA; 4Division of Physical Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina, SC, USA Objective: The objective of this case series was to investigate the feasibility and safety of a novel method for the management of chronic lower back pain. Injections of recombinant human growth hormone and testosterone to the painful and dysfunctional areas in individuals with chronic lower back pain were used. In addition, the participants received manual therapies and exercise addressing physical impairments such as motor control, strength, endurance, pain, and loss of movement. Pain ratings and self-rated functional outcomes were assessed.Study design: This is a case series involving consecutive patients with chronic lower back pain who received the intervention of injections of recombinant human growth hormone and testosterone, and attended chiropractic and/or physical therapy. Outcomes were measured at 12 months from the time of injection.Setting: A community based hospital affiliated office, and a private practice block suite.Participants: A total of 60 consecutive patients attending a pain management practice for chronic lower back pain were recruited for the experimental treatment. Most participants were private pay.Interventions: Participants who provided informed consent and were determined not to have radicular pain received diagnostic blocks. Those who responded favorably to the diagnostic blocks received injections of recombinant human growth hormone and testosterone in the areas treated with the blocks. Participants also received manipulation- and impairment-based exercises.Outcome measures: Outcomes were assessed at 12 months through pain ratings with the Mankowski Pain Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index.Results: Of the 60 patients recruited, 49 provided informed consent, and 39 completed all aspects of the study. Those patients receiving the intervention reported a significant decrease in pain ratings (P

We previously identified heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) as a specific target of miR-155, and inhibition of HO-1 activity restored the capacity of miR-155-/- CD4+ T cells to promote antigen-driven inflammation after adoptive transfer in antigen-expressing recipients. Protoporphyrins are molecules recognized for their modulatory effect on HO-1 expression and function. In the present study, we investigated the effect of protoporphyrin treatment on the development of autoimmunity in miR-155-deficient mice. MiR-155-mediated control of HO-1 expression in promoting T cell-driven chronic autoimmunity was confirmed since HO-1 inhibition restored susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in miR-155-deficient mice. The increased severity of the disease was accompanied by an enhanced T cell infiltration into the brain. Taken together, these results underline the importance of miR-155-mediated control of HO-1 expression in regulating the function of chronically-stimulated T cells in EAE.

Intestinal coccidiosis is a significant parasitic disease affecting poultry, resulting in substantial economic losses for the industry. It compromises the nutrition absorption, leading to weight loss and elevated mortality rates. Furthermore, the stress caused by the infection can compromise the immune system, making poultry more susceptible to secondary infections and reducing overall productivity. As a result, simple analytical techniques are critical for determining anticoccidial drugs. A new, sensitive, and environmentally friendly HPLC method was developed for determining amprolium (AMP), sulfaquinoxaline (SUL), diaveridine (DIV), and vitamin K3 (VIT K3) in their formulations for the first time. Stability tests were performed under diverse stress conditions to verify the safety and efficiency of the formulation throughout its designated shelf time. These investigations ascertain the influence of various environmental conditions on a drug's chemical stability and physical characteristics. A Supelcosil C18 column was used as the stationary phase, and 0.05 M KH2PO4 and acetonitrile were mixed in a ratio of 80:20 (v/v) as the developing system with a flow rate of 2.0 mL min−1. The proposed drugs were quantified at 260 nm. It was tested and found that the novel analytical method was linear for AMP and SUL between 20.0 and 60.0 µg mL−1, 2.0–6.0 µg mL−1 for VIT K3, and 2.1–6.3 µg mL−1 for DIV. The anticipated method was validated according to ICH guidelines. Advanced evaluation tools, such as GAPI, Red Green Blue (RGB 12, whiteness), Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI), the Analytical Eco-Scale, and (AGREE) assessed the sustainability profile of the proposed method, illustrating its enhanced environmental friendliness and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review we discuss the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthroplasty, both the preoperative evaluation and particularly the postoperative MRI of different surgical options for patients with advanced degenerative disease of the basal joint of the thumb. The first CMC joint is one of the most frequently involved articulations in the hand and wrist in the setting of degenerative osteoarthrosis and certainly a pain generator and important cause of disability due to its significant impact on hand function. It is the most common joint for which surgery is sought in the wrist. Radiologists interpreting imaging studies of patients with first CMC joint arthroplasty must be familiar with the normal and abnormal preoperative appearance of the thumb basal joint. Moreover, knowledge of the normal postoperative MRI findings, as well as the appearance of patterns of failure and complications, is of paramount importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We derive the ab initio equilibrium statistical mechanics of the gas–liquid–solid contact angle on planar periodic, monodisperse, textured surfaces subject to electrowetting. To that end, we extend an earlier theory that predicts the advance or recession of the contact line amount to distinct first-order phase transitions of the filling state in the ensemble of nearby surface cavities. Upon calculating the individual capacitance of a cavity subject to the influence of its near neighbors, we show how hysteresis, which is manifested by different advancing and receding contact angles, is affected by electrowetting. The analysis reveals nine distinct regimes characterizing contact angle behavior, three of which arise only when a voltage is applied to the conductive liquid drop. As the square voltage is progressively increased, the theory elucidates how the drop occasionally undergoes regime transitions triggering jumps in the contact angle, possibly changing its hysteresis, or saturating it at a value weakly dependent on further voltage growth. To illustrate these phenomena and validate the theory, we confront its predictions with four data sets. A benefit of the theory is that it forsakes trial and error when designing textured surfaces with specific contact angle behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactate--proton symporter monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) facilitates lactic acid export from T cells. Here, we report that MCT1 is mandatory for the development of virus-specific CD8+ T cell memory. MCT1-deficient T cells were exposed to acute pneumovirus (pneumonia virus of mice, PVM) or persistent γ-herpesvirus (Murid herpesvirus 4, MuHV-4) infection. MCT1 was required for the expansion of virus-specific CD8+ T cells and the control of virus replication in the acute phase of infection. This situation prevented the subsequent development of virus-specific T cell memory, a necessary step in containing virus reactivation during γ-herpesvirus latency. Instead, persistent active infection drove virus-specific CD8+ T cells toward functional exhaustion, a phenotype typically seen in chronic viral infections. Mechanistically, MCT1 deficiency sequentially impaired lactic acid efflux from activated CD8+ T cells, caused an intracellular acidification inhibiting glycolysis, disrupted nucleotide synthesis in the upstream pentose phosphate pathway, and halted cell proliferation which, ultimately, promoted functional CD8+ T cell exhaustion instead of memory development. Taken together, our data demonstrate that MCT1 expression is mandatory for inducing T cell memory and controlling viral infection by CD8+ T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]